Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao lead officials arriving for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Green Line Extension Project, Monday, June 25, 2018. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.

(Boston, MA 02/19/18) A Green Line train makes its way along Huntington Avenue on the E Line in Boston on Monday, February 19, 2018. Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki

(Boston, MA 02/19/18) A Green Line train makes its way along Commonwealth Avenue on the B Line in Boston on Monday, February 19, 2018. Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki

(Cambridge, MA 03/03/16) The Green Line Extension project as seen from the Gilmore Bridge. Thursday, March 3, 2016. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

View of work on the Green Line extension project, as seen from the Gilmore Bridge. Thursday, March 3, 2016. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

DIGGING IN: The MBTA has hired a construction manager to oversee the expansion, above, of the Green Line. The move
is being praised by U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano and the T’s Brian Shortsleeve. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

Construction of the Green Line extension, above, will move forward after funds were OK’d yesterday. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

(Cambridge, MA 03/03/16) The Green Line Extension project as seen from the Gilmore Bridge. Thursday, March 3, 2016. Staff photo by John Wilcox.

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project aiming to launch nearly 5 miles of light-rail service between Cambridge and Medford in 2022 yesterday received a $225 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to keep the endeavor rolling forward.

The grant is the second installment of a $996 million Full Funding Grant Agreement the FTA signed with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

“The Green Line Extension project will improve mobility, access to jobs, schools and the quality of life for tens of thousands of passengers in the Boston area,” Chao said.

Williams, noting 75,000 people live along the future GLX light-rail route, said the extension, “will spur development and bring added value to the corridor. The leadership at the state and MBTA should be commended for making the necessary decisions to ensure this project opens on time and within budget.”

The project includes seven new stations, replacement or rehabilitation of eight bridges and a new pedestrian/bike path.

The GLX is expected to generate approximately 45,000 new transit trips a day by 2030, improving access to jobs and opportunities in Boston, as well as Somerville, Medford and Tufts University.

The extension is also expected to slash daily vehicle travel by 25,728 miles, improving air quality and reducing automobile congestion.